Ogden City invites the public to tour the newly restored historic home at 884 24th Street during a two-day open house event on Friday, September 7 from 2-7 p.m. and Saturday, September 8 from 11a.m. to 2 p.m. After being occupied by Dr. J. Dwight Harding’s family from 1916 through 1948, this Prairie Style home suffered decades of decline until the Ogden City RDA invested in restoring the property to its former glory.

This residence is one of over 200 homes the Ogden Community and Economic Development Department (CED) has renovated in the past 30 years. Ogden City began buying homes for renovation and resale in 1991. The primary target area has been the East Central Community. In addition to homes scattered through the East Central Community, Ogden City has targeted blocks for intensive revitalization. Some of these include the Jefferson Avenue and Eccles Avenue Historic Districts, the 2500 Quincy block, and the 2700 Gramercy block.

“Renovating historic properties gives our residents the chance to live and embrace the City’s history in their everyday lives while preserving it in the best condition possible,” said Ogden City Mayor Mike Caldwell.

The Harding family home restoration was part of the Quality Neighborhoods Initiative created in 2015 to further the development of urban renewal within the community. Efforts of the initiative have accelerated, and last year over 25 homes were undertaken for renovation. The City has also put programs in place, such as Own in Ogden and HELP Loans, which provide qualified applicants with financial assistance for down payments and home improvements.

“When the City Council, Mayor Caldwell, and the Ogden City RDA adopted the Quality Neighborhood Initiative, it was with these kinds of achievements in mind,” said Ward Ogden, Ogden City’s Community Development Manager. “We want to ensure there are quality housing and environments available to a broad range of income demographics. High-quality renovations and iconic new designs are joining with Ogden’s economic resurgence to enhance Ogden’s reputation as a great place to live, work and play.”